Mindful by Nature WorkshopThis 2 day workshop invites participants to develop and explore a mindfulness practice based in nature. We will have daily yoga and meditation in the yurt followed by nature based mindfulness arts and hikes on local trails.This workshop will aim to provide teachers with accessible arts based mindfulness techniques to bring into personal and professional life. As well as practicing there will be daily discussions about the importance of a personal exploration into mindfulness and the benefits for the classroom. Other topics for discussion will be around personal energetics; how thoughts affect emotions and introduction to Sacred Geometry, how to see similarities between the natural world and ourselves.Celebrate Earth Day with a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend! Bring your own yoga mat, journal and hiking shoes. Also any art supplies you would like!

ItinerarySaturday April 229:00-5:00Personal Practices of Mindfulness and Nature Connection9:00: Welcoming, Introductions and materials check9:30: Core concepts of Mindfulness Arts and the importance of Nature connection10:00: Yoga practice based on grounding 11:00: Guided Meditation practice12:00: How to develop a personal mindfulness practice12:30: LUNCH 1:00:: Patterns in Nature. Hike, journaling and observational drawing3:30: Mindfulness Art activity4:30: Closing circleSunday April 239:00-4:00Bringing an authentic Connection to the classroom9:00: Welcome and recap9:30: Allowing the student space to discover10:00: Elemental Yoga practices to take into the class”room” 11:00: Meditation for children, a little goes a long way12:00: LUNCH1:00: YOU are an Ecosystem! How to help kids see themselves as a part of nature-Hike, journaling and mindfulness art outside3:30: Closing circle

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Kate Crouch has a B.A in Integrative Studies from Warren Wilson College, is a certified Yoga instructor, RYT-200hr, and has completed the Forest for Every Classroom teaching program. She began practicing and studying yoga, in her home city of Philadelphia, in 2000. Since then she has explored many of the diverse yoga lineages. Kate has training in Kundalini yoga from 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, AZ and Hatha yoga from Anahata Power Yoga here in Missoula. She also teaches Mindfulness Arts and is pursuing her Master's degree in Art Integration at the U of M. Her passion for teaching is rooted in her belief that the practices of Mindfulness prepares one for the challenge of life. Her classes aim to be accessible, rejuvenating and full of joy.